Israel “paralysed” Tehran’s missile production program with its raids, says Axios

Israeli strikes against Iran in the early hours of Saturday morning neutralized critical equipment for Tehran‘s ballistic missile program, Axios revealed today, citing three Israeli sources.

According to the site’s sources, the destruction of this equipment significantly limits Iran’s ability to update its missile arsenal and potentially act as a deterrent to launching new attacks against Israel.

The unnamed officials said Israel struck 12 facilities used to produce solid fuel for long-range ballistic missiles. These missiles form the backbone of Iran’s missile arsenal. A senior US official confirmed that the strike significantly reduces Iran’s ability to produce new missiles.

The Israeli sources explained that these mixers are specialized machines that Iran cannot manufacture on its own and is forced to source them from China. The reinstallation of this equipment may take at least a year.

Although Iran still has a large stockpile of ballistic missiles, the inability to produce new missiles may limit its ability to supply missiles to its allies such as Hezbollah and the Houthis.

The same sources said the attack also hit four S-300 air defense systems, which were located at strategic points, protecting Tehran as well as nuclear and energy facilities in Iran.

The Iranian military said the Israeli strike was carried out from Iraqi airspace and caused limited damage to radars, which are already in the process of being restored. The statement did not mention damage to missile production facilities or drones, and stressed that Iran reserves the right to “respond” to the attack.

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